Zhizhen Zhang faces uphill battle at United Cup without Zheng Qinwen: “I'm always seeing this pressure in a good way”

Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from the United Cup, leaving Zhizhen Zhang to lead the Chinese team. The 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist had been confirmed for the tournament to kick off the 2025 season, but recently announced she needs time to physically recover before returning to the court.

In the last edition of the United Cup, Zhang teamed up with 'Queen Wen' - who just a few weeks later would reach her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open - and they managed to advance from the group stage. However, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Poland's Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek.

The absence of the WTA world No. 5 will be a significant loss for the Chinese team, who had high hopes for their top-ranked player. She will be replaced by world No. 175 Gao Xinyu, the eighth-ranked Chinese player.

Zhang Zhizhen also had a strong performance at the Olympic Games, reaching the mixed doubles final and winning a silver medal alongside Wang Xinyu. "If people are watching us do something and then trying to follow us, that’s great news for us," Zhang recently commented in an interview with ATP Tour.

"Most Chinese people are watching table tennis or badminton at the Olympics, not tennis. But suddenly they’re watching [our] final live on TV," the world No. 45 added. "Right away, more people are knowing us and more people are trying to play, trying to learn. That’s really good."

Zhang also addressed the growth of Chinese tennis, with several players on both the men's and women's side making their way to the top level. "I'm always seeing this pressure in a good way, they're pushing me. For sure they are going to pass me one day, but they're also pushing me to go forward," said Zhang. "They give me a more positive way to look for these things. More energy is coming through. As an athlete, you want to keep the best result for as long as you can, [whether it] be Chinese No. 1 or even World No. 1."

The Chinese team is set to play in Group E in Perth. They will debut on December 27 against Brazil, led by Beatriz Haddad Maia (No. 17) and Thiago Monteiro (No. 109). Three days later, they will face the defending champions Germany, led by Alexander Zverev (No. 2) and Laura Siegemund (No. 80).